The Journal of Tylyn, Champion of Gabion
Cronicles of the trials of Phule and his Band
-in the Winter of the Eagle
Upon our return to Silverden I've decided to keep a journal of our adventures. After taking a few hours to resupply our provisions, we arranged for rooms at the Blue Dragon Inn. After the evening meal the boys minus Ganiff, decided to go tavern hopping. I traveled to the temple of Gabion to spend the evening in pious contemplation. When I arrived back at the Blue Dragon, Ganiff had holed himself in his room doing whatever he goes. I checked the tavern at the Blue Dragon and was unable to locate the rest of the party. So I decided to go to bed. The next morning found Ganiff and myself at the morning meal alone. Ganiff was wearing a garment made out of burlap. I did not inquire into the reasons, having found out before that Ganiff and logic rarely travelled the same path. The rest of the boys did managed to join us for the noon meal. It was rather apparent that they had partook of too much ale the night before. Phule was barely able to keep from falling into his stew. We discussed the plan to go back in search of the Sword of the Ages. Everyone agreed it would be a good idea to take a week to prepare. Ganiff and myself would speed the time preparing scrolls. Over the course of the week I lost track of the other party members, spending my time in my room, to the point of taking my meals there. Once the scrolls were complete I emerged weary but confident. At that time I found out that an adventurer that I did not know had joined up. She was a halfling of regular size, but was well built. While attractive she was exceptionably air-headed. To the point of asking me where I got the "rad" tattoo. For some ungodly reason Phule seemed quite taken with her. From what I've been able to overhear it seemed the boys had not been tavern hopping, but had visited the local "dance theater" where Fonda was one of the performers. And that on a following evening while I was scribing Phule and Ghost returned. At that time Phule again after consuming an amount of ale had Fonda doing lap dances. He went to boasting about out past adventures and managed to challenge the halfling to a duel in the morning. When the morning arrived the duel was fought. Phule managed to subdue the girl, only after taking a severe beating himself. After that it seemed that the rest of the party had decided to let the halfwit into the party. While it does seem she is a capable fighter, wielding two short swords, her "valley girlness" is really getting annoying. It looks like I may have to start knocking out a halfling now. I have to feeling that she is going to annoy me more than Ghost. With that said, we prepared to move to the graveyard, which held the entrace to the cavern.

I have to wonder how long Phule will maintain his crush on Fonda. While Phule has become more eccentric latey, I can not beleive he has lost it to the point of persuing the halfwit halfling. Of course the man has been spending more time in that wagon of his, doddling. I pray the wisdom of Gabion will guide him through these turbulent times.

Tylyn
Priestess of the Wall
My Lord Gabion

We have returned from below with our prize, the Sword of the Ages. It is a fine long sword. Though it was not easy to retrieve. As we decended into the catacombs we encountered a strange creature. Phule attacked it, but was magically transported outside of the catacombs. The same happened to Stout when he attacked. I attempted to turn the foul beast. For a moment I thought I had succended as it fell back a step. But a momnet later I was transported into a vast cavern. I lit a torch a headed into the cavern in hopes of finding a way back to the rest of the party. After a few minutes I saw the end of the cavern behind me lit up. I moved back in that direction and found Phule securing a rope. When the rest of the party arrived a strange man was with them. He introduced himslef as Cosmo the Invoker. While I have known few wizards, I believe that Cosmo is even stranger than most. We moved to the opposite end of the cavern and entered a large finely crafted hallway. On both sides large stone statues stood. We gathered by the edge of the chasm at the end of the hall and proceeded down, leaving Phule behind to guard the exit. Fonda had to change out of her platemail and into a scandalous leather nightie, her excuse for climbing armor. Once on the bottom we found the remains of a man. We assumed that they were once the wizard that had hired us to escort him in his search for the Sword. We moved down one of the wings of the chasm. Stout was scouting out the way when we saw a fireball erupt around him. Luckly his Ioun stone absorbed the spell. We proceeded with more caution. A figure of a man appeared out of the darkness. Stout let fly a fireseed arrow. The man was the wizard that was once our employer. I was unable to react before the arrow passed through the man and exploded behind him. At that point we all paused to contemplate, when a large snake-like being appeared between the two halves of the party. Stout was struck with the monsters sting-like tail, dropping him. The monsters humanoid face was biting Ganiff's arm. I struck it twice, but was unable to find a vital organ. Cosmo smashed it with his staff. Ghost hurled his Javelin of lighting at it, striking it. The next thing I know the vile creature's tail had struck me. I fell to the ground gasping for air. Cosmo then launched a lighting bolt at the creature, striking it down. Ganiff came to my aid, but was unable to help me. But within minutes Stout and myself were able to breathe normally again. A short walk later we found the creature lair. In it was the Sword, along with some potions, spell scrolls, and a dagger. We started to return to the ropes when we were barely able to hear Phule's shouts. Cosmo changed form into an air elemental and rushed ahead of us. When we were able to rejoin Phule, he was inside his Cube of Force, one stone golem at his feet and another pounding on the cube. As I looked down the hallway it was filled with stone golems. I prayed to My Lord Gabion to strengthen Phule. When Phule droped the cube to start a fresh attack on the golem I cast cure light wounds on him. The golem soon fell under his onslaught. He step over it's remains and confronted the next one blocking our way. I continued to cast healing spells as Phule, joined by Fonda, continued to attack down the hallway. As the last golem in the hall was dispatched, two more shut the doors ahead of us. We were unable to force the doors and Ganiff's attempt to Knock it, fused the door. Ganiff was able to Stone Shape the doors so we could escape. Once out we encoutered the last two golems and quickly dispatched them. We then returned to the Blue Dragon Inn to recover and devide the treasure. Everyone decided to grant the sword to Stout, as an Elf he is nataurally gifted in the long sword. And Stout showing his unselfishness, gave his dancing dagger to Ghost. We decided, after identifing everthing, to sell the dagger and three of the four potions. Cosmo and Ganiff began scribing the spells from the scrolls. After dividing the gold I loaned Phule enought to pay back Ghost, who had earlier loaned Phule 700 gold in order to complete some much needed training. I returned to my room to pray and rest.

Cosmo is out there. I can not put to words his actions, as they are so bizarre. While I believe he will be a valuable asset to Phule's Company, his actions befundle me. Fonda is continuing to annoy me. While in the chasm she kept saying how she wished Phule was here. Then I had to pick up her armor after she ran off to battle and left it by the edge of the chasm. I fought hard to resist the urge to toss the armor into the darkness below. I do not know way she irritates me so. I shall pray for understanding from my Lord Gabion. My he guide me.

Tylyn
Priestess of the Wall
My Lord Gabion

We stayed in Silverden another week, refurbishing our supplies and conversing with the townspeople. We heard of strange events in the town of Lukdom, from a caravan team. The team members spoke of "no joy in Lukdom." and the villagers locking themselves inside their homes before dark. The caravan was forced to leave town when they could not find enough lodgings for the night. After a brief discussion, we decided to proceed to Lukdom and investigate. On the trail, we talked over the information that we had. We all had the feeling that some type of undead forces we sure to be at work in Lukdom. After a fews days, we pulled into a roadside camp for the night that had been used the day before. The following day we encountered a wagon headed the same way as us. Stout moved forward to observe the wagon and it's crew. Stout returned a while later, telling us that the driver, a rather rotund man, and a boy around 10, had pulled off the road for a meal. We proceeded up the road and pulled off where the other wagon was. The diver was roasting a small pig. He greeted us with much vigor, introducing himself as Jack and the boy as Eli. Jack invited us to share their meal, though there did not appear to be enough to feed us all. We accepted and offered to supplement their fare, but Jack would not have it. Jack sent the boy into the wagon to retrieve a flask of wine for us. It was a very fine vintage. Jack had none, as we found out that he had given up drink in praise of Palor. When the pig was done, Jack asked who was first and carved the beast. There was only enough to fill two plates. When the plates were filled, Jack returned to the spit and lo, there was another pig roasting. Jack repeated the process until all our plates were filled. We talked about Lukdom over the fine meal and found out that Jack and the boy had also heard of the strange events there. We decided to travel together the remaining distance to Lukdom.
Lukdom indeed had a strange feel to it. An unnatural chill that filled the air. We arranged for rooms and Ganiff started talking with the townsfolk. They told us that death walked the streets at night. I asked about the temples of the Gods, and found out that all had been destroyed. I went to the burned remains of Gabion's temple. What manner of foulness would dare incur the wrath of the Gods be razing their temples. Anger overwhelmed me as I prayed in the ashes of a once-proud temple. I could vaguely hear the rest of the party talking about preparations for the upcoming battle. I found my body tense up and My Lord visited me. He told me that we would face a greater evil times three than what we would encounter this night. He commanded me to destroy their vileness in his Name. Then after that was done, I must travel to the Wall. As there was a crack in the Wall and only I could mend it. When I regained consciousness I found the battle over. I appears that a large group of Ju-Ju Zombies attacked. I found that Jack who had before wore a multitude of robes, had discarded them and now displayed a set of wings. He introduced himself fully as Happy Jack, Priest of Palor. The boy Eli, was in fact a halfling, who went by many names. Eli, Ryk, Rykolii, to name a few. I told the party of my time with Gabion and we prepared for further actions against the foul minions of evil.

 As we traveled to Lukdom, Fonda continued to flirt excessively with Phule. I must say that Phule seems to have become more resilient to her. Happy Jack and his companion Eli will be most helpful in the coming days. While I am overjoyed of Gabion's acceptance of me and that he found me worthy to commune with, I am overwhelmed with anger and a need for vengeance against the foulness that defiled My Lord's house. I shall confront My Lord's enemies knowing that His love and guidance surround me.

Tylyn
Priestess of the Wall
My Lord Gabion

Winter of the Eagle-
The following morning we rested as Stout and Ghost searched the woodlands nearby for a tracks. It didn't take them long to find an old trail, that showed signs of recent use. We left Lukdom and followed the trail, around noon we found a clearing that contained a tower.

We broke for lunch, with Jack repeating the previous noon meal routine. We searched the tower, but could find no entrance, save arrow slits near the top.
Ghost walked up the side of the tower (those magic slippers are handy) as Phule tossed up a grappling hook. Once on top, we found the roof covered with leaves and debris. After a brief search we found a trap door placed in the middle of the roof. Ghost was unable to trigger the floor, then found himself tittering over a stairway as the roof fell away forming a stairway.
It seems that Fonda managed to step on a stone that triggered the stairway.

We descended the stairway and found ourselves in a room, where shields bearing various crests were hung. There were doors leading through each wall. While Phule was examining one of the shields he noticed that a gem was missing in one of them. He pressed in another slightly and received a minor shock.
We went into one room, which appeared to be a barracks. There were 12 coffins laid out with chests at the foot of each. Upon examination, we found that all 12 coffins were empty.
Fonda, Stout, and Jack checked one room. As Phule, Ryk, and Ganiff checked another. A quick shout brought my attention to the room where Fonda went. I stuck my head in a found that some kind of magic rug and enveloped her. Nothing appeared to be able to free her. I couldn't help but to laugh a bit as she struggled. I tried to dispel magic but that failed as well. After a minutes concentration, Jack was able to cast hold plant on it, freeing Fonda. With the commotion over in that room we could here shouts from the room that Phule went into.
I could hear him yelling. "Fine, I disbelieve. It's not real. Are you happy now!" As we rushed from the room I could hear wood breaking as I caught sight of an inert Phule and a wildly kicking Ryk fall through the floor. As I looked down on them, I saw they had fallen into a room filled with webs. Ganiff, who was feather falling down after them, seemed to be burned as he descended down. About half way down he dispelled his spell and tumbled after the other two.
Phule lay in a heap of flesh and armor, oblivious to all attempts to revive him. We searched the remaining room and found a secret room and staircase leading down.

 We found a similar layout as the one above. Ryk and Ganiff were helping Phule out of the room with the webs. Phule kept talking about Valhalla. He pointed to Ganiff, "What are you doing here? See what disbelieving got me." Phule then pointed to his breastplate. "My bloody heart ripped out by a bloody lich. Well your going to get yours, as I chop you up into little bits everyday from here on." He soon noticed us. "What the hell, shouldn't you be in some damn forest or something?" He said to Stout. "And what are you going in Valhalla? Should you be with Gabion?" Phule asked me. Then, "By the way you do have some great breasts."

 With that I struck Phule and laid him out. After a brief discussion with Ryk and Ganiff it appears that they encountered a illusionary lich. While Ganiff was able to see through the illusion quickly Ryk and Phule didn't. On Ganiff's shouts Ryk stopped his attack and was able to see it for what it was as well. Phule, having heard more than enough of Ganiffs supposed illusions, Shouted back at Ganiff that he disbelieved, while still believing and promptly had his heart torn out and then passed out. Once Phule again regained conscious we had a hard time convincing him he was indeed alive.

We searched the other rooms on the floor. One room had an illusionary floor and Stout barely saw through in, before falling through.
The next room contained four women. They were well dressed and very beautiful as we moved to speak with them they smiled back at us displaying fangs. We braced for the attack. Jack's and my attempts to turn the beasts failed. Ganiff shot a web into the room catching Ryk, Stout and Cosmo. One was able to charm Stout into attacking Phule. Phule was able to fend off Stout while we forced the vampires to flee.
In another we found the room empty save a loose tile. Fonda strode in, picked it up and promptly disappeared, the tile falling back to the floor. Stout, and Ryk, each followed suit. The rest of us decided to find a different way down. We soon found another hidden staircase.
On the third floor we entered into a grand hall. We caught a glance of two well dressed men at a small desk along the far wall. Ghost, doing a little recon work, found another two playing chess along the opposite wall. Ganiff cast a couple of hold person spells on two of them. When we moved to attack, the supposedly held people moved against us.
I again tried to turn, but failed. We were able to force these vampires into gaseous form as well. We quickly searched the floor finding some odds and ends and as before another hidden staircase. Upon descending the stairs we found Ryk, Stout, and Fonda and what was left of the Repeater Golem they fought. We tended wounds as Ghost looked out through the door into a large kitchen. Inside he saw a number of vampires. We cast some defensive spells and prepared for the coming engagement. Cosmo opened the door and cast a fireball into the room. Suddenly Cosmo tensed up and was drawn into the room then turned to stone. We rushed into the room. Once again we were able to fight off the vampires. We were able to free Cosmo from his stoned form.
Phule, remembering that vampires while they were not killed in combat, they had to return to there coffins for a period of time to recover. We hacked up what furniture was in the room into stakes and moved back to the first floor. There we found the 12 coffins occupied. We staked each vampire and, heeding Phule's advice, drug each up to the roof, to wait until sunrise. We laid multiple wards and wyvern watches.

Near midnight a horde a rats started to come up the stairwell. Cosmo cast a fireball down the stairs taking care of the rats, but then a equally large number of bats started to attack. Then a female vampire appeared. We moved to attack it. Cosmo was again stoned. And Jack and myself found ourselves blocked but an invisible wall. Jack flew over the wall to fight the foul beast. Elsewhere on the roof, two more vampires appeared and drew the rest of the party into combat. After we vanquished them we again freed Cosmo from his stone prison.
As the Sun rose we opened each coffin and removed the stack in each vampire, ridding this world of their foul presence. We rested through most of the day knowing we were in relative safety. We then returned to the lower most floor and searched the area. After a time we were able to find a hidden passage. As we moved through the passage a fog enveloped us, neutralizing some of our magic items. Then fearing that the longer we stayed in the fog the worse the situation would be we rushed through the far door into a room where three vampires awaited us.
As each vampire fell one of us would inspect one of the three coffins in the room and stake the vampire as it rested. Do to our ill-prepared rush, we were unable to cast negative plane protection on Fonda and Cosmo; who the vampires were able to draw away some of their life essence. After the battle Jack withdrew an item from his robes. He held it above him and with a few words of Palor the room erupted in light. As the light faded the coffins and the vampires that had lain in them were ash.

We left the tower and returned to Lukdom. We stayed in Lukdom briefly to rest and tend our wounds. As we prepared for the return to Silverden and then journey to the Wall. Ryk and Jack were going to stay behind and rebuild the temple of Palor. Jack offered to oversee the rebuilding of Gabion's temple until a priest of Gabion could be dispatched. I left 500 gold pieces with Jack to pay for rebuilding My Lord's temple and thanked him for his gracious offer. With that we began the trip back to Silverdan.

I am thankful that Jack will be keeping an eye on the people of Lukdom for awhile. And for his efforts to rebuild My Lord's temple. I would have liked to stay and worked on it myself but Gabion's call must be answered. I hope that my friends will accompany me on my journey, most of all Phule. For the year that we have know each other he has always maintained a professional relationship with me. Not once making the jokes that Stout is so bad at, or trying to get physical like Ghost. While I've felt that he liked me, it was always that way a brother looked upon his sister. In the tower when he commented on my body, while I felt shocked and for a moment insulted, I'm happy that he noticed me that way. At the same time, these feelings worry me. May Gabion's wisdom help me with these feelings.

Tylyn
Priestess of the Wall
My Lord Gabion


Dawn of the Eagle-
One morning, on our way back to Silverden, we discovered the body of a dead
dark elf. It appeared to have fallen to one of the small arrows that we've
been seeing over the past few months. We all agree that we have some
unseen ally out there. We buried the elf, and continued to Silverden. We
spent a couple of days in Silverden replenishing our supplies before leaving
for Grimsburg and The Grotto. We investigated the treasure that we aquired
in Lukdom. Ganiff became fixated on a book we found in the vampire lair.

When he attempted to read it he found the pages unclear. In his desire to find
to hidden passages that he believed were contained in the tome, he went to
the temple of Origi, and had true seeing casted on him for a small fee and a
favor for the Priestess. He found that even with the true seeing he could
not read the tome. I helped him in what little ways I could, but we soon had
to admit that we could not decifer the arcane words. For his favor, Ganiff had agreed to deliver
a package to her sister, a Priestess of Phanpha, in Helix before the end of three months.
Luckly, Helix was near enough to My Lord's domain that Ganiff would be able
to deliver the package with time to spare.

We booked passage on the Flying Carp in The Grotto, heading to Eryes City on
the eastern coast. We set sail the following morning. Most of us quickly adjusted to the sea, but poor Ghost was struck with sea sickness for many days. I spent my days tanning on the foredeck
and skimming behind the Carp when the winds were strong enough.
I've found that I can either skim barefooted or with a small deck plank
secured to my feet. The rest of the party helped out with shipboard duties.
One of the crew was a small greenskin. He reminded me of a goblin, but I
found him unlike any goblin I ever encountered. His name was Smee. Stout
kept a keen eye on the little greenskin, but Phule seemed to take a liking
to Smee. After about a week at sea, the lookout spotted another ship
heading towards us. It was a strange ship, like a large square tub. There
appeared to be many hatches lining the entire ship. We matched speed and
hailed over to them. The ship was crewed by dwarves, which seemed to settle
our minds over the strange construction of the ship. We briefly discussed sea
conditions and our final port. The dwarf captian warned us to beware the
prirate Captian Trollbeater, who had been roaming the sea in this area
lately. We thanked him for the information and prepared to continue on our
way when the strange hatches opened. Large metal tubes became visable and
flame shot forth. The Flying Carp rocked as it was hit. It took little time
to realize that we had best beware Captain Trollbeater, as he had lured
us into his trap nicely. Stout began shooting at the dwarves on deck as
Cosmo and Ganiff launched spells at the ship. As we silenced one of the
metal tubes another hatch would open to bring a new one to action. Ganiff
then resorted to webbing the hatches shut. Once it seemed that the large
tubes were out of action we prepared to board the strange ship. Water
walking spells were cast and Phule and I crossed over to the dwarf ship. On
board the dwarf crew fired at us with small fire tubes. Phule was hit by
one that launched coins. Slowly we cleared the deck and proceeded below.
We found the large fire tubes lining the decks, with kegs and a black powder
and round iron balls next to them. I searched further around as Phule
examined one of the large fire tubes. Further below I found that hatches had
been opened letting the sea in. I ran up to the decks above and warned
Phule. Phule tried to lift one of the large fire tubes as he directed me
the gather as many of the samller ones as I could. Phule couldn't manage
the large tube, and the ship was quickly sinking. I told him that we'd have
to get to the top deck soon, or go down with the ship. He gave the tube one
last lift, then abanoned the effort. He scooped up a couple of the kegs and
we moved to the top deck. By the time we arrived on deck, the ship was
almost under the surface. We stepped off onto the water, just as the ship
slipped under. After talking with Cosmo and Ganiff it seemed that the
strange powder was smoke powder. Phule seemed to have some inate knowledge
of it's function. I believe it may have something to do with the visions he
has in his dreams. He has made some mention about seeing weapons like
these. He spent many of the next days on deck experimenting with the
powder. Every few hours an explosion would shatter the normal sea noises.
There were a few times where I was quite worried about Phule and this smoke
powder. At the end of the day I'd have to treat many minor burns on his
body. A couple of days later, near the middle of our sea journay, we awoke
and found the crew missing. Only the Captain and Smee remained. It also
seemed the Ghost was gone too. The captain kept muttering something about
Centerphan. When we asked him to explain he just said the we had sailed
through Centerphan and it had taken the crew and our friend. Phule ordered
the captain to reverse course and take us back to Centerphan so we could
recover Ghost. The captain refused, saying that no one ever returned.
Phule was uninterested with what the captain had to say. We all agreed that
we could not leave Ghost to whatever fate had befallen him. We
commendeered the Carp and prepared to reverse course when Ghost appeared on
deck and asked what was going on. It seemed that Ghost had been "exploring"
the cargo holds. Who knows what may have found it's way into his pockets.
With Ghost accounted for, we returned control to the Carp to the captain and
continued to Horus Port and Eryes City.

I am becoming increasingly disturbed by Phule's behavior and his visions.
One day while everyone was on deck I searched through his wagon. I found
many sheets of parchment that contained strange drawings and notes. Much of
it I could not understand, but I could tell they were drawings of various
weapons. I also found a bronze brazier, that I've seen Phule use before for
some ceremony. I fear that he may have fallen under some curse. The next
night I secretly entered his cabin and cast a remove curse spell on him. I
have little hope that it will be effective. It may be that only a cleric of
greater ability than I can help him, if indeed there is anything that can be
done. As we near My Lord's domain, I feel closer to Him. I can also feel
the urgancy of my mission. I hope that I will arrive in time.
 

Tylyn
Priestess of the Wall
My Lord Gabion